Magazine writer Beth feels right out of place after moving to Washington DC with her politically ambitious and super-smart husband, Matt. They soon befriend a hotshot White House staffer called Jimmy and his glamorous Texan wife, Ashleigh. They do everything together but the friendship becomes strained when Jimmy’s star rises faster than Matt’s. Set during the Obama presidency, this novel’s release coincides with the current White House race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. It really sets the scene well, giving you an intriguing glimpse into the dynamics of the young Washington crowd.
The Hopefuls, by Jennifer Close, is about a woman who follows her husband and his political dreams to Washington, DC. The summary says: "When Beth arrives in DC, she hates everything about it: the confusing traffic circles, the ubiquitous Ann Taylor suits, the humidity that descends each summer. At dinner parties, guests compare their security clearance levels. They leave their BlackBerrys on the table. They speak in acronyms. And once they realise Beth doesn't work in politics, they smile blandly and turn away.
Soon Beth and her husband, Matt, meet a charismatic White House staffer named Jimmy, and his wife, Ashleigh, and the four become inseparable, coordinating brunches, birthdays, and long weekends away. But as Jimmy's star rises higher and higher, the couples' friendship - and Beth's relationship with Matt - is threatened by jealousy, competition, and rumours." The Hopefuls is out in July 2016.